Inevitable - backdated before the ball;

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[He knows the ball's today. As much as he wants to go, though, his friends come first.

And said friend that he's worried about... is most likely gone, leaving behind nothing but a Vanitas, plain and simple. He told her that he'd take care of things. Well, there's no point in waiting any more. With his Keyblade in hand, Ven is making his way through the halls, keeping his eyes open for any surprise attacks.

Though people are welcome to stop and chat, he's in a rush and likely won't stay for long. Hard as this is going to be, better now than later.]

[ooc: Mostly for temporaltrap, though I don't mind other tags. Also, as the title says, this is before the ball. Spoilers are incredibly likely in regards to Vanitas.]

Comments

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

Looking for something, Ven?

[ Says the Vanitas that is leaning against the wall. Behind him. He was totally there the whole time, really. ]

1/2

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[He stops dead in his tracks. Only one Vanitas (besides derp) would--

... But it's been several days. Almost a week! There's no way...]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[It has to be a trick. Ven shakes his head, moving into a defensive position.]

You.

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

Me.

[ Still totally at ease~. ]

What's wrong?

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

You know exactly what's wrong.

[Grgh. Vanitae, always so casual.]

I'm here to set things right. For Kairi and everyone else here.

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

Set things right for Kairi? Things are right for her, Ven. After all, this is what she chose for herself.

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

We already talked about it. She wants me to do this- someone's gotta stop you before you hurt anyone!

[He tenses up.]

... Don't call me that.

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

Before I hurt anyone? That's pretty presumptuous, don't you think?

[ He's smiling pleasantly underneath that mask, and it can be heard in his voice. ]

That's your name, isn't it?

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

Maybe it is, but if you're anything like my Vanitas-- like most of the ones here, then you're too dangerous.

[Meanwhile, Ven's trying his best to stay strong here. To think that Kairi could become this...]

It's a nickname. Only my friends use it.

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

Do you really believe Kairi could turn into anything like them?

[ Oh, keep trying, Ven. Really. It's amusing! ]

I see. I'm almost hurt.

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

... It's hard to believe, but I've already accepted it. We both knew this was coming. And even if it hurts a whole lot, what else can I do?

[He shakes his head, tightening his grip on the Keyblade.]

I would've asked her to do the same.

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

If that's how you're going to be...

[ He trails off, as though this is some big disappointment-- and pushes away from the wall, summoning his own weapon. ]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[It's just a trick, it's just a trick.

He narrows his eyes, reading himself. Hopefully this will be quick.]

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

[ Of course it's just a trick! But he's certainly trying to make Ven doubt himself and the situation as a whole. He's even hesitating to attack! ]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[Ven's trying to ignore all that, which is why he's rushing up to strike, even with that slight sinking feeling of his.]

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

[ For now, Vanitas is just going to defend, going to see how much he can make this hurt before he manages to escape. ]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[Doesn't matter. He's going to do this; that much he's already decided.

When the first hit fails, he slides back, trying a Strike Raid this time.]

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

[ Well, Van's got all his speed before, where Kairi didn't, so expect him to be a lot faster~. And eventually he's going to start attacking back with magic, trying to keep some distance between them for now. ]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[Luckily Ven's speedy as well, then! And while he's not quite as strong as some other Vens, he has been working on some training to make up for that.

He'll try his best to dodge Van's magic, occasionally attacking with magic of his own. ]

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

[ This shall be the vague hallway fight to end all vague hallway fights! ]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[Speedy combos are fantastical for that! Ven's essentially giving this his all with very few stops in between. The sooner this is over, the better.]

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

[ And Vanitas is not the slightest bit surprised about that. As soon as Ven lands a good hit on him, he's changing his voice- guess there's still a little bit left behind, because that gasped "Ven!" sounded awfully Kairi-like. ]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[... No way!

That gasp is all it takes for Ven to stop in his tracks again, eyes wide. Was that...?]

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

[ And so he takes that chance to attack. ]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[And he takes the hit, letting out a loud groan!]

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

You know, Ven,

[ He's not letting up on attacks now. ]

You really are naive. Disgustingly so.

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[So it was a trick. Ven tries his best to dodge roll out of the way, blocking when he can.]

Shut up!

[Is it can be combo times?]

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

[ Of course it was a trick, you idiot. And angry combotimes have him on the defensive more than he expected! ]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[Good! Because Ven's not letting up now. That trick made him even more irritated.]

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

[ But can you deal with the Unversed crawling out of the woodwork on top of fighting Van, Ventus~? ]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[He'll do what he can. In fact, shoot lock is good multiple targets, so he'll do just that.]

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

[ SKIP AHEAD TO SOME TIME LATER, Vanitas is backed up against the wall, just about having lost this fight. He hadn't been counting on how much anger could drive Ven over this. ]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[And he's still angry.

He takes a deep breath, hesitating for just a moment. Ven knows what he has to do, but he's never actually killed someone before...

He shuts his eyes and continues the attack, hoping to end this.]

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

[ The crazy laughter he let out at the last moment is abruptly cut off with an odd gurgle, and Vanitas is sinking to the floor. ]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[And with that he dismisses his Keyblade, stepping away from the wall.]

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

[ His armor is going up in wisps of darkness... but he himself is following, leaving behind someone much frailer and decidedly female.

And for a moment, it's Kairi slumped against the wall, head tipped forward and not a sound escaping her. She's definitely dead. ]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

...Kairi.

[She...changed back? Ven's both shocked and terrified and, without thinking, he rushes over to hug her lifeless body.]

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

[ She's entirely limp in his grip, and almost immediately after they come in contact, she's bursting into hundreds of little lights, almost star-like as they start floating upward and disappear into thin air. ]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[He watches as she fades, even going so far as to grab at the lights in hopes that she'll be back.

But he knows he'll have to wait. Once those lights are gone, he just... falls to his knees. So that's it.]

[temporaltrap.livejournal.com]

[ Sorry, Ven. She'll be back soon.

Maybe. ]